MAVI vs. Korn Ferry
Trusted by Top US Companies
How the Two Models Compare
Both help you add finance talent. The difference is a costly one-time executive placement versus dedicated global talent that builds and staffs your team.
The Dedicated Global Talent Model (MAVI)
MAVI works differently. Instead of a costly one-time search for a single senior leader, you get dedicated global finance and accounting talent, chosen for your business, working inside your company like any other hire. They use your tools, run your close, and report to you, month after month. MAVI handles the operational weight in the background, including contracts, compliance, and payments, so each hire stays easy to run. The result is the team that runs your books, at a lower cost base than a US hire and a fraction of a retained search, with the ownership and continuity of true team members. You build the finance function, not just fill the top seat.
The Retained Executive Search Model (Korn Ferry)
Korn Ferry runs retained executive searches, engaged and paid upfront to find senior leaders, alongside broader consulting on leadership and talent strategy. A retained search is thorough and relationship-driven, and the fee typically runs a substantial percentage of the executive's first-year compensation. It is designed for a single high-stakes placement, usually at the executive level, over a search that can take months. It is not built to staff the ongoing, hands-on finance roles that actually run your close and keep your books clean.
Why Choose MAVI vs. Korn Ferry
Builds Your Team, Not Just the Top Seat
Korn Ferry is engaged to place a single senior leader. MAVI staffs the finance function that does the work: the controllers, accountants, and analysts who own the close, the reconciliations, and the reporting. You are building a team, not filling one executive chair at a premium.
A Fraction of the Cost
A retained search fee is typically a large percentage of first-year executive pay, spent on one placement. MAVI provides dedicated, US-caliber global talent at 50 to 70 percent less than a US-based equivalent, with transparent pricing, so your budget builds an ongoing team rather than one costly hire.
Placement in as Fast as 5 Days
A retained executive search can run months. MAVI places pre-vetted talent in as fast as five days. A short discovery call, a candidate review, your pick, and they start integrating that week.
Dedicated Talent That Stays
Executive search ends at the placement; then the firm moves on. MAVI's accountants are embedded, dedicated team members who run your close month after month, learn the business, and own the improvements over time, with MAVI handling contracts, compliance, and payments in the background.
Try Before You Commit
A retained search fee is committed upfront, before the fit is proven. MAVI includes a 14-day risk-free trial and no upfront fees, so you confirm the match before you commit.
MAVI vs. Korn Ferry: Side-by-Side
"I hired a full-time Accounting Supervisor through MAVI - she’s managing 3-4 bookkeepers and communicating directly with my clients. She is amazing - she’s made process improvements and given so much leverage to my accounting director…I’ve been really impressed by the caliber of accountants in MAVI’s talent network!"
Fast-Growing Companies Are Choosing MAVI over Korn Ferry
Startups
For scaling companies that need the finance function built out, not a costly executive search. A dedicated MAVI accountant staffs the hands-on work at 50 to 70 percent less, starting in as fast as five days.
Mid-Market Companies
For PE-backed and growth-stage teams that need depth beneath the CFO. MAVI staffs the controllers, accountants, and analysts who run the close, at a fraction of retained-search cost.
Fractional CFO Firms
For fractional CFO practices that need dedicated finance talent supporting each client's day-to-day, not one-time executive placements. MAVI gives each client a consistent global accountant integrated into their systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is MAVI different from Korn Ferry?
Korn Ferry is a retained executive search and consulting firm that places senior leaders for a fee tied to executive compensation, over a search that can take months. MAVI places dedicated global finance and accounting talent that staffs and runs your function, in as fast as five days, at 50 to 70 percent less than a US-based equivalent. MAVI handles contracts, compliance, and payments in the background.
Does MAVI do executive search like Korn Ferry?
MAVI is built to staff the finance function that does the work, the controllers, accountants, and analysts who run your close, rather than to place a single C-suite executive. It is a different and, for most growing companies, more immediate need.
Is MAVI cheaper than Korn Ferry?
Substantially. A retained search fee is typically a large percentage of an executive's first-year pay for one placement. MAVI provides dedicated, US-caliber talent at 50 to 70 percent less than a US-based equivalent, building an ongoing team for the cost of far less than a single search.
How fast can MAVI place talent?
As fast as five days, compared with the months a retained executive search can take. After a short discovery call, you review candidates and your pick starts integrating that week.
Is MAVI talent senior enough for key finance roles?
Yes. MAVI's network includes accountants and controllers with Big 4 backgrounds and deep US GAAP experience who can own the close, reporting, and audit readiness. For executive-only searches, MAVI complements rather than replaces that need by staffing the team beneath the leader.
What accounting roles can MAVI fill?
MAVI places talent across the full finance and accounting spectrum: Controllers, Accounting Managers, Senior and Staff Accountants, AR/AP Specialists, Tax Accountants, Financial Analysts, FP&A Managers, and more.
Is MAVI talent experienced with US GAAP and modern ERPs?
Yes. MAVI's network includes CPAs and accountants with Big 4 backgrounds and hands-on depth in US GAAP, month-end close, audit preparation, and platforms like NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, and Bill.com.
Can MAVI replace Korn Ferry?
For building and staffing the finance function, yes, at a fraction of the cost and far faster. For a single executive-level search, the needs differ; many companies use MAVI to staff the team that a new finance leader then directs.